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Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was forced to undergo emergency surgery after breaking his jaw in a clash against Everton last weekend, and head coach Xabi Alonso declined to provide a specific timeline for his recovery, only saying he hopes the keeper will return in "a few weeks."
A frightening collision with Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite left Martínez requiring immediate hospital treatment after receiving extensive medical care on the field during Chelsea's 2–0 victory.
The Argentine shot-stopper shared a photo from his hospital bed following the procedure, also noting he would be "back in a few weeks." Beyond the fractured jaw, Alonso confirmed that Martínez also sustained a concussion, which automatically rules him out for a minimum of 14 days under English Football Association protocols.
Ahead of Saturday's London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, Alonso was pressed on the status of his first-choice goalkeeper.
"He's doing better," Alonso said. "He had the surgery, and day by day, he's feeling better, but we still need to wait."
"Few weeks, few weeks," he reiterated regarding Martínez's expected return. "Hopefully less than more, but we need to wait. The good thing is that he's feeling better and that he wants to listen to his feelings, the opinion of the doctors, the specialists, the surgeons. Considering it was a bad one, he's doing good."
Alonso Says Chelsea's Goalkeeper 'of the Future' is 'Ready'
With Martínez on the sidelines, 21-year-old Mike Penders will take his place in goal for Chelsea's upcoming fixtures. The Belgian got his first taste of Premier League football when he came on as a substitute for Martínez late in the Everton match, making one save to help Chelsea secure their first clean sheet of the league campaign.
Penders began the season as Robert Sánchez's understudy and remained second choice when Martínez arrived at the club and Sánchez was loaned out to Como. Chelsea have held Penders in high regard ever since signing him as a teenager in the summer of 2024. Now thrust into the starting position, Alonso is fully confident that Penders is ready to step up.
"He's ready," Alonso stated. "He's been training well, he's played a couple of cup games where he showed that he has a good level, even the day when he came on against Everton, in a few minutes he showed his personality, his qualities. That's why we have a squad to be ready for these kinds of situations, and we are fully convinced that Mike can play very well."
Alonso was also asked why Penders wasn't handed the starting role from the beginning of the season. The Spanish manager gave a revealing response, acknowledging that Penders is seen as Chelsea's goalkeeper of the future.
"We wanted to have the best possible options and once we decided that we would go for Emi, I think we have a good balance," the Spaniard said. "I think Mike is our keeper for now and for the future. Having the support, learning with an experienced goalkeeper like Emi, he's having a great impact on the team and on Mike and looking forward to the next game. We are happy with his preparation."
Xabi Alonso Agrees with the Thibaut Courtois Comparisons
Alonso isn't the only one to back Penders as Chelsea's goalkeeper of the future. Ever since the Blues splashed €20 million ($22.5 million) to secure his signature, he has been sent out on loan to Genk and then sister club Strasbourg to further his development, with the long-term goal of becoming Chelsea's number one.
Penders has long been regarded as a talent in the making, drawing comparisons to former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, largely due to his height and shared nationality. Alonso worked with Courtois at Real Madrid and agreed that Penders brings to mind the player many consider to be the finest goalkeeper on the planet.
"There are a lot [of similarities between Penders and Courtois]," Alonso confessed. "Not just for the nationality, for the stature, both left-footed, both dominant in the air. I spoke with Thibaut as well when he was in the World Cup, asking about Mike and he even said to himself that he could see resemblances with Mike.
"We need to help him, support him, but for sure he's a keeper for present and for the future."
Chelsea will be eager to have Martínez back as soon as possible, but in the meantime, their goalkeeper of the future will get his first prolonged opportunity to shine between the posts at Stamford Bridge.